Entering Lent
Next Wednesday, we officially step into our season of Lent. This time is set aside each year to focus and prepare our hearts for the life, death and ultimately- the resurrection of Jesus. Lent lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays) and this is a common Holy number in the Bible. (Noah was on the water for 40 days. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days.) And we pause for forty days to remember and experience sacrifice ourselves. Often people give up something for this season or take on a new spiritual discipline. Glen led the staff in a devotion with suggestions for things that people give up. Of course, dessert and caffeine were at the top of the list. But online shopping, social media, TV and streaming were also on the list. What thing could you give up that would allow you more time to focus on this season or a new spiritual practice?
Our theme for this season is “Everything In Between: Meeting God in the Midst of Extremes.” We live in a polarized world that is constantly trying to divide us. Yet, we have found that most of are in the “and” places rather than the “or.” Jesus navigated the social, political and religious divide of his time by transforming them. I hope that you will realize that God is found in the between places of our lives. Instead of faith or works, we exist in the place of faith and works. Each week we will have two focus words that seem extremely different, even opposing. But as we study the scriptures, we discover that the in between places is where we encounter the Holy One.
Let me encourage you to some intentionality. Pastor Seungork will begin with our Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm. Our focus words are intention and action. Often we are filled with good intentions but if we never move to action than they have no value. So I encourage you to move into action for this season.
If you cannot make the Ash Wednesday service, we are giving away ashes to go home starting Sunday. You can also choose to come by Wednesday morning between 10 am and Noon for Pastor Seungrok or Pastor Heather to impose ashes and pray over you.
Wear one of the crosses that we give away everyday. If you have a pile of these crosses at home, return them for someone else or give them away. We wear them to raise awareness and to give them to those we meet who are interested in the community and practice of Lent. You might also wear your own cross until Easter.
Study the gospel of Luke. Our Adult Sunday school classes will be taking this journey with us and we will also have a Wednesday night class@6:30 for those of you who are not in a small group yet. I invite you to join me as we step into this season even if we are not ready to do so. Our Amplify video subscription has videos by Rev. Dr. Amy Jill Levine that explore the Gospel of Luke. We are inviting you to study Luke during Lent. If you don’t have the password for this streaming service, email Pastor Seungrok and he will be happy to share it with you. (Typically you would contact Patty, our office manager, but she had her baby on Wednesday!!! so she will be unavailable for the next few weeks.)
Pick up one of the Lent devotionals that has activities for every week. There is poetry, art, reflection and commentary for each week. I have found these to be deeply meaningful.
If you think that this sounds too hard, let me remind you that you can do hard things. And I have found that these are also the most rewarding. Share with the staff your stories of people that you gave your crosses too. Celebrate on social media or in your Sunday school classes the ways that you have been in action around this season. Let us begin, ready or not.
LOVE,
